Ultimate frisbee

Ultimate is a completely different disc game to frisbee. As much a subculture as a sport, Ultimate is a seven-a-side team non-contact sport played with a disc on a playing field that's like a half-width soccer field. Like netball, you play by passing the disc down the field to your team-mates, with defenders trying to intercept and knock down passes; like gridiron, you score by catching the disc in the endzone. Emerging out of New Jersey in the flower-powered 1960s, players are bound by a "spirit of the game" philosophy which emphasises sportsmanship over competition; and camaraderie above all else.

Hence, even when played at elite level, there are no referees - and, in some tournaments, teams even rate the spirit of the opposition in order to determine placing. While some people do get very serious about it, training up to six times per week and flying around the globe to participate in tournaments, there is no pressure on players who wish to keep it strictly social. Which is just one more reason to give it a whirl.

Bottom line

A regulation disc costs $15 to $20 and players typically use drink bottles, caps or jumpers to mark out the playing field.

Hang lose

If you've been involved with ball sports, it can be tough getting used to throwing, say, with your right hand when your right leg leads. The opposite of most ball sports, what initially feels awkward provides greater movement and flexibility in the hips.

Burn it up

Flinging the disc is so much fun you don't realise how many kilojoules you're burning, says Stephanie Levasseur, an exercise physiologist and player. "Tonight I got my heart rate up to 170 (beats per minute) just throwing, which is comparable to brisk walking, and I burned 2500 kilojoules in 90 minutes," she adds.

And this is bearing in mind that sprite-like Levasseur is just 54 kilograms - heavier players would burn even more.Long-time players tend to develop the lean, well-honed physique of middle-distance runners.

Who it suits

This athletic game tests players' physical and mental fitness. But if you have a win-at-all-costs mentality, go play something else. "You need to value honesty and fair play," says Boevink. "If you're someone who pushes the rules or tries to gain an unfair advantage, then it just won't work." An ability to read people also helps. "It's not only about throwing and running; it's about who is in which position and how they're feeling today," says Levasseur.

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